Elena Dementieva is contesting her first quarterfinal match at Wimbledon is facing 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova. This marks an all-Russian quarterfinal and ensures that ther will be at least one Russian woman in the semis. The last time the two met was at the finals of Indian Wells earlier this year where we saw Sharapova triumph 6-1 6-2.

Their head-to-head stands at 4-1 in favor of Sharapova but this match will be very different from the others as this will be the first time that they're facing each other in a Grand Slam match. Dementieva actually has never lost a quarterfinal match in a Grand Slam (4-0) while Sharapova lost twice (5-2) in the French Open qf.

This will be a very big test for both players. I think that the match strongly depends on which Dementieva shows up. I hope that yesterday's (second set) Dementieva shows up so she could have clearer shot to the semis.

Sharapova was really tested by Flavia Pennetta in the fourth round and Pennetta showed that Sharapova can be beaten on grass. If there's one thing that Pennetta has done good yesterday, it was to move Sharapova side to side and use variety in her shots. Dementieva has to do this tonight and be more aggressive. That's what Flavia did, but she came up short on the important points.

Anyway, Dementieva should serve really well tonight. Sharapova has a good return and she'll whack Elena's second serve if it's not good enough. Elena should keep her first serves in and continue making more winners than errors.

It has been a tough road for Elena and I'm so glad she made it to the quarters. But the road gets tougher today. This match will be very difficult and very challenging for Elena. It will be difficult to beat Sharapova but it's not impossible. I'm hoping for an upset here. Elena can do it, I believe.